Introduction to Edge Preview 2
What Is Edge Preview?
Welcome to the Edge Preview. This new application from Adobe, code-named Edge, is designed to create web-based animation and interactivity natively in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. The goal is to create content that won’t need proprietary plugins or players for deployment.
HTML5 is the latest version of the language that powers most of the Internet and has been in development for the better part of the last decade. The specifications for HTML5 were finally published in 2010, but it has not been formally adopted yet. In fact, it may be several more years before this occurs. But the good news is that these specifications are quickly being implemented in browsers and other applications that access the World Wide Web today.
The key aspect of Edge is its ability to create animation and interactivity without exposing you to writing thousands of lines of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript code. Its revolutionary interface allows you to build sophisticated graphics with a simple point-and-click workflow.
Who Should Read this Book?
This book is geared toward any user who needs to build web animation and interactivity. The exercises and descriptions are written in plain English and geared toward the average web or interactive designer, but there’s also plenty here for even the most experienced Flash developer.
What You’ll Get Out of this Book
Edge is so new that there are few resources available to help you learn and implement the program and its ever-evolving capabilities. This book will be your personal guide to getting the most out of your first experience. We’ll guide you through the basics and help you become an Edge expert in short order.
Who Should Use Edge
Edge is great for visual, web, and interactive designers who want to put some pop in their web content. Edge Preview 2 focuses primarily on animation and motion, with upcoming previews focusing on additional creative capabilities and functionality.
Software Requirements
To get the most out of the Edge Preview, your computer should meet the following minimum requirements:
Windows
• Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ 64 processor
• Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1; or Windows 7
• 512 MB of RAM
• 200 MB of hard-disk space for installation
• 1280-by-800-pixel display with 16-bit video card
• Broadband Internet connection required for online services and to validate Subscription Edition (if applicable) on an ongoing basis*
Mac OS
• Multicore Intel processor
• Mac OS X v10.6 and v10.7
• 512 MB of RAM
• 200 MB of available hard-disk space for installation
• 1280-by-800-pixel display with 16-bit video card
• Broadband Internet connection required for online services and to validate Subscription Edition (if applicable) on an ongoing basis*
Where Can You Find Help?
Download Adobe Edge and find the latest resources on Adobe Labs at:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/edge/
See the answers to the most frequently asked questions at the following link:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/edge/faq.pdf
Access the Edge Preview release notes at:
About the Exercise Files
While you can feel free to substitute your own files and graphics in our exercises, the sample files used in this book can be downloaded from the following URL: